Zinc U Channels in Stained Glass Making

by Jo
(Rock Springs, WY, USA)

I've been doing some stained glass making and have a U-channel zinc edge that I got from the glass shop in a 3 ft length. When I bought it the clerk wrapped it into a loop with the channel facing out. I've never edged a project before so I didn't know better at the time.
When I went to uncoil the zinc channel the place where the loop was is mangled pretty severely. I have a stretcher but I have never used it.
How do I use the stretcher to unmangle the zinc?

Ozzie Berke contributes: When you purchase ZINC IT SHOULD NEVER BE BENT by the supplier. I am astounded. Zinc u cap is only bent with a came bender to fit an exact curve like on a transom or a circle. Even if you have a came bender, I doubt you will ever satisfactorily straighten out a piece of ZINC.

Lead came is a whole different story.

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